Apparatus for the assembly of concrete form ties



Get, 17, 1967 D. .1. AGOSTINI ETAL APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 l4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NV ENTORS DOMINEG J. AGOSTINI GEORGE L. AGOSTINI Get- 17, 196 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL 3,

APPARATUS- FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS DOMINIC J. AGOSTINI GEORGE L. AGOSTINI AT TOR EY at. 17, 1967 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

' INVENTORS DOMINIG J. AGOSTlNl BYGEORGE L. AGOSTINI 0% 1967 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS DOMINIC J AGOSTINI. GEORGE L. AGOSTIN! AT TORNEY Oct. 17, 1967 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS DOMINIC J. AGOSTINI GEORGE L. AGOSTI N I Oct m7 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL. 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-$heet 7 1' 1 5;- @I 1 I 1 In Q s: 1 Y I i I i Q 1 1 INVENTORS DOMINIC J4 AGOSTINI BYGEORGE L. AGOSTINI Oct. 17, 1967 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 21, 1965 MW Y mTT N v R 00 O V T J L 4. plu% 1: Wm OE DG Y B Oct. 17, 1 11.1. AGOSTINI ETAL. 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 DOMINIC J. AGOSTINI BYGEORGE L. AGOSTINI Oct 1967 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES F'iled June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 1O INVENTORS J. AGOSTINI L. AGOSTINI DOMINIC! GEORGE BY 0% 1967 D. J. AGOSTINI ETAL 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Shets-Sheet 11 I NVEN TORS DOMINIC J. AGOSTINI BY GEORGE I... AGOSTINI ATTO NEY 1967 D. J. AGOSTXNI ETAL. 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 SheetS Sheet 15 INVENTORS DOMINIC J. AGOSTINI GEORGE L. AGOSTINI ATTORNEY 1967 D. J. AGOSTIN! ETAL 3,346,940

APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Filed June 21, 1965 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 INVENTORS F i G. 22 DOMINIC J. AGOSTINI YGEORGE L. AGOSTINI Patented Oct. 17, 1967 3,346,?40 APPARATUS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF CONCRETE FORM TIES Dominic J. Agostini, 56 Armistice BlvrL, Pawtucket, R.I. 02860, and George L. Agostini, 48 Marlaine Drive, Seekonk, Mass. 02771 Filed June 21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,539

27 Claims. (Cl. 29-208) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE An apparatus for assembling a rod and associated washers and forming a concrete form tie by passing the rod through successive assembly stations and mounting the washers onto each end, then cutting, bending and deforming to lock the washers in position and forming the finished tie. Passage of the rod through the stations and operation of each station is controlled through a series of microswitches tripped by the rod as it is fed through the machine.

Our present invention relates to an article used in the construction industry, and more particularly to an apparatus for the automatic and continuous assembly of snap ties.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is designed for the continuous and automatic assembly of concrete form ties, also known as snap ties.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the assembly of concrete form ties which reduces manual handling of the parts to a minimum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the assembly of concrete form ties in which the multiple operations necessary are performed virtually simultaneously to produce a rapid sequence of assembly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the assembly of concrete form ties which is adjustable for different thicknesses and lengths of ties without requiring an extensive reorganization of parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the assembly of concrete form ties having provision for the automatic feeding and assembly of the various parts prior to the final assembly operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the assembly of concrete form ties which is comparatively simple in construction and designed to eliminate virtually all manual operations in the manufacture of such ties.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, our invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying out present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bottom of the machine with a snap tie in place ready for assembly.

FIG. 7 is a plan view, looking upward, of the upper die section of the machine.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of the feed indexing device.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged section of one of the headers taken on line 9-9 on FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged section through three of the dies taken on line 1010 on FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the completed form ties.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bottom half of the die for forming the fracture points on the tie.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bottom half of the rib forming and gripping die for the end of the tie.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bottom half of the die for forming the inner stop for the large washer.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bottom half of the die for forming the outer stop for the large washer.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bottom half of the die for forming the central pinched portion of the tie.

FIG. 17 is a rear elevation of the machine showing the assembly feed device.

FIG. 18 is a section taken on line 1818 on FIG. 17 of the feed device only.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the assembly device for the large washer.

FIG. 20 is a side elevation of the assembly device for the small washer.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of the positioning device for the large washer.

FIG. 22 is a section taken on line 22-22 on FIG. 17 and showing the switching arrangement.

In forming concrete walls it is customary to provide spaced wooden forms between which the concrete is poured and allowed to harden. After hardening, the Wooden forms are removed, leaving a concrete wall construction. It is essential that the wooden forms be properly spaced apart to produce the desired thickness of the finished wall, and properly reinforced to withstand the pressure of the concrete poured between the form walls. Furthermore, many concrete forms are constructed on the spot with varying thicknesses of scrap lumber. It is therefore customary to provide the concrete forms with form ties sometimes referred to snap in ties.

The ties comprise metal rods having reduced diameters which allow it to be broken or fractured at particular points and spaced washers locked into position along the rod in the desired width. At each end, the rods are provided with slightly smaller washers locked in position by an enlarged integral rounded end. In use the forms and their vertical supporting studs are provided with openings which permit the ends of the rods to be inserted so that the forms can be moved inwardly against the washers which are properly spaced apart. A wedge is now inserted between the stud and the end of the rod at each end and hammered into position. This locks the parts rigidly together and properly spaces the form walls. Concrete is now poured between the form walls.

After the concrete has set, the wedges are removed and the ends of the rod are manipulated so that the breaking point, just inside of the concrete, parts the rod and allows the piece to be removed washer and all. The outside surface of the concrete must then be pointed to fill in the small openings. The major portion of the rod, of course, becomes embedded in the concrete and remains in place as a reinforcement for the concrete. Tie rods or snap in ties of this type are in general use and most contractors use large quantities of such rods. The rod of the present invention is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 11 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 11, the tie of the present invention comprises an elongated rod 30 having spaced fracture points 32 of reduced cross section permitting the rod to be broken at these points from each end by twisting or manipulating the rod. As illustrated in FIG. 11 the rod is broken away because of its length and the major portion of the rod 30 is between the points 32. Extending t0- finished concrete wall. 'On the other side of each washer 36 is another pinched portion 38 which merely acts as a stop to prevent the washers 36 from migrating towards the outer ends of the rod during shipment.

At the outer end, the rod is provided with a smaller washer 40 behind which the rod is roughened at 42 so that the washer 40 cannot slide any further onto the rod 30, The outer .end of the rod is rounded with an enlarged head 44 which locks the washer 40 in position. Each end of the rod is passed through an opening in the concrete form and its vertical supporting stud, the opening being just large enough to accommodate the smaller washer 40. The rod is inserted until the washer 36 is flush against the inner wall of the form and against the stop 34. The outer end of the rod with the washer 40 extends from the stud. A wedge is now inserted between the washer 40 and the outer portion of the stud to lock the parts together and force the form inwardly against the washer 36. After the concrete has set, the wedge is removed and the form is removed leaving the rod extending from the concrete. The extended portion is now manipulated until it breaks at 32 and the rod end pulls out carrying the washer 36 with it at each end. The wall can then be pointed or properly finished off, leaving the central portion of the rod in the wall.

It is desirable that the rod be so fixed in the wall that it will not twist or pull out during the manipulation for fracturing at the points 32. This can be done by forming a flattened enlarged portion at the center. As shownin FIG. 1l,the center portion of the rod is formed with an elongated pinched portion 31 which forms an enlarged area with flattened portions 33 on each side of a central rib and tapering back into the rod at each end. Such an enlargement of the center prevents both pulling and twisting and actually aids in breaking the rods at the points 32.

It has been customary to manufacture these rods with either washers 36, or cupped shaped elements such as shown in US. Patent No. 2,370,174, issued Feb. 27, 1945, and entitled, Wall Form Tie. In any event, an assembly line is set up so that the rod passes from operator to operator, each performing a different operation on the rod. For example, one press makes the pinched central portion 31. Separate operations include the fracture points 32 and the pinched points 34 and 38. The washers 36 and 40 must be mounted on the rod by hand, then the final heading is performed at each end of the rod. This is a slow, tedious and costly operation requiring many hands and slowing the manufacture to a great extent. Therefore, the present invention is designed to provide an automatically operated apparatus for forming the ties shown in FIG. 11 rapidly and successively and without the use of any manual steps other than the stacking of the various parts. The machine of the present invention is designed to operate from rod stock and from washers 36 and 40 in suitable reservoirs or hoppers, and to feed, assemble, and operate upon the rod to form the finished tie rod shown in FIG. 11.

Because of the various operations which must be performed on the rod 30, a great deal of pressure is necessary. Applicants machine utilizes a press which is adaptable for any conventional operation. Mechanical means, electrical means, or pneumatic means can be used. However, applicants have found that the hydraulic means is most suitable to provide the heavy pressures needed for the operation. Other parts of the device are operated electrically and pneumatically as will more fully appear in the description following. Referring more in detail to the drawings, we therefore provide a rectangular heavy base 46 which is actually hollow as shown in FIG. 3 and forms an oil sump for the hydraulic system (not shown). The machine of the present invention operates under a hydraulic pressure of 25 tons with certain other portions using 12 tons of pressure. A straight circulating hydraulic system would therefore generate a large amount of heat and cooling would therefore have to be provided for the hydraulic liquid. By utilizing the base 46 as an oil reservoir of comparatively large dimension, a good deal of the heat is dissipated and the applicants have found that the cooling system can be dispensed with. However, a cooling system saves bulk space and can be used if desired.

The base 46 is supported at each end in a rectangular portion 48 having spaced vertical support portions 50 which support a horizontal frame portion 52. For assembly purposes the top 52, as illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided with an elongated central opening 54 allowing ready access to the operating parts. As can readily be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base portion 46 forms a support for a lower die bed and'the upper portion 52 forms a support for thevertically reciprocating portion of a press arrangement.

The machine of the present invention is therefore provided with a feeding unit which takes a blank rod and mounts the washers 36 and 40 in proper position thereon as shown in FIG. 11, and an operating unit which produces the indentations, cuts, and pinched sections also illustrated in FIG. 11. Overall, there must also be a carrying unit which constantly moves the rod through the machine at the proper rate of speed. FIGS. 12 to 16 inclusive illustrate the die construction for producing the central flattened portion 31, fracture points 32, pinched portions 34 and 38 and the roughened portions 42. These operations are performed by pairs. of die elements of identical shape, FIGS. 12 to 16 inclusive showing the lower die elements, it being understood that the upper die elements have the same form.

Referring to FIG. 3, a support 56 is mounted on top of the reservoir base 46 and supports a die bed 58 with associated die locking elements 60. Travel through the machine is by means of spaced parallel sprocket chains 62 having evenly spaced vertical pins 64 which retain and carry the rods in properly spaced relation. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the chains 62 each ride over a set of lower;

sprocket wheels 66 positioned in the front and rear lower portion of the base 46 so that the sprocket chain passes under the base 46. At the front the sprocket chain passes over a large drive sprocket wheel 68 and a slightly smaller sprocket wheel 70 at the rear. The sprocket wheels 68 and 70 are on the same horizontal plane so that the chain passes horizontally over the die bed 58 and just below the working level of the various die elements as shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted, viewing FIG. 3, that the chains 62 extend rearwardly from the sprocket wheels 66 and 70 to a rearmost point beyond the feed mechanism where similar sprocket wheels (not shown) are located.

Now viewing FIG. 4, the chains 62 carry the rods 30 with the washers 36 and 40 mounted thereon from right to left into the machine. During the movement of the rod, the washers are retained in proper position by channel members 72 which guide the larger washers 36, and by channel members 74 which form the guides for the outer smaller washers 40. Now as the rod approaches the machine in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6, from left to right, the channel members 72 lead into a pair of ramps 76 which serve to liftthe rod above the level of the lower dies. As can be seen in FIG. 4, this lifting action does not move the rod beyond the upper edge of the vertical pins 64 sothat even at the top of the die level at 78, see FIG. 4, the pins 64 still extend upwardly sufiiciently to move the rod along. The rods are now pushed forwardly along the top of the surface 78 until they reach the dies where the rod drops into the aligned dies into the position shown in FIG. 6.

Now viewing FIGS. 12 to 16 with FIG. 6, the die 80, FIG. 13, is positioned adjacent each end of the rod 30. Each die 80 comprises a rectangular block having rounded corners 82 and spaced bolt holes 84. The rod falls into a transverse semi-circular groove 86 which together with the upper portion of the same die hereinafter described, is slightly smaller in circumference than the rod 30 so that it forms the ribbed portion 42 shown in FIG. 11. The outer end of the groove 86 is provided with an enlarged section 88 for receiving one of the small washers 40. Note that the section 88 forms a shoulder against which the small washer 40 rests. This is essential during the heading operation for forming the head 44.

Now moving inwardly from each end of the rod 30, as shown in FIG. 11, the next operation is the pinching action at the point 38. This is done to extrude sufficient metal to prevent the large washer 36 from moving outwardly during handling and shipping. Note that because of the method of assembly in which the Washer 36 is forced against its stop portion 34 by the concrete forms themselves, it is not essential that the pinched portion 38 be positioned very close to the washer 36. This pinching action is accomplished by the die 90 illustrated in FIG. 15. The die 90 comprises a rectangular block of metal having spaced assembly openings 92. A semicircular groove 94 extends transversely of the central portion of the die 90. The groove 94 together with the complementary upper die element is larger than the area of the rod 30, and will hold the rod 30 without pinching. At a point intermediate the ends of the groove 94 is a small, shallower groove portion 96 having sharp abrupt shoulders at each end. The curvature of the shallow groove portion 96 is such that at each end of the curve the groove presents a smaller arc than the circumference of the rod 30. This causes a pinching action between the shallow groove portion 96 with its complementary upper die portion to produce the pinched portions 38 illustrated in FIG. 11. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the groove 94 is in direct axial alignment with the groove 86 of the die 80.

Again it should be noted that the construction hereinabove described is identical at each end, the dies 80 and 90 being duplicated at each end of the rod 30 as shown in FIG. 6. The next operation is the formation of the stop pinch portion 34 of the rod. This is accomplished by the die 98 illustrated in FIG. 14. The die 98 is narrow and rectangular in shape and is provided at each upper edge with a square portion 100 and an elongated portion 102 slightly depressed from the surface of the portions 100. Transversely, through the center of the portion 102 is a groove portion 104 having sharp side edges and a flattened portion 106 on each side of the groove portion 104. Together with the complementary upper die hereinafter to be described, the groove portion 104 and flattened portions 106 form the pinch portion 34 illustrated in FIG. 11. On one side of the die 98, a semi-circular recess 108 extends downwardly from the upper edge adjacent one end of the groove 104. When the die 98 is locked in the device as shown in FIG. 6, with the side illustrated in FIG. 14 flush against the die 90, the recess 108 forms a slot with the die 90 for receiving the washers 36 and thus allowing the rod 30 to drop into the grooves 86, 96 and 104 in the aligned dies. Since the groove 104 is transversely of the center of the die 98, it is in axial alignment with the previously described grooves 94 and 86 in the dies 80 and 90.

The next operation on the rod 30, as shown in FIG. 11, is the reduced cross section 32 which permits easy fracture and breakage of the rod after the assembly is completed, as hereinabove described. The portion 32 is formed by the die 110 illustrated in FIG. 12. The die 110 comprises a rectangular block with the standard spaced mounting openings 112. Extending transversely of the die 110 is another semi-circular groove 114 which is of such size and depth that together with the upper half of the die it will hold the rod 30 without pinching. However, ad-

jacent one end of the groove 114 is a narrow restricted groove portion 116 designed to cut into the rod 30 at the point 32, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Since the upper die element also has a portion 116, the rod 30 is cut into, top and bottom, leaving just a small connecting section which is easily broken after the setting of the concrete. The die is positioned just beyond the die 98 and the groove 114 is in axial alignment with the groove 104 of the die 98, the groove 94 of the die 90 and the groove 86 of the die 80.

The flattened section 31 at the center of the rod 30 is formed by the die 118 illustrated in FIG. 16. Extending transversely of the die 118 is a groove 120 of narrow width so that, together with the complementary upper die element, it will grip the rod 30 along a narrow central ridge without pinching. On each side of the groove 120 are elongated flattened portions 122 tapering at each end into the groove 120. The flattened portions 122 form the elongated pinched portions 33 of the rod 30 as shown in FIG. 11. As before, the groove 120 is in axial alignment with groove 114 of die 110, groove 104 of die 98, groove 94 of die 90, and groove 86 of die 80.

Now referring to the action hereinabove described, the rod 30 is moved by the chains 62 and the vertical pins 64 up the ramp section 76 across the upper surface of the dies 78 and drops into the grooves of the aligned dies as illustrated in FIG. 6. At this point the chain 62 stops its movement, and the complementary upper die portions then descend as in a power operated press to cooperate with the dies illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 16 inclusive to perform the operations hereinabove described and shown on the rod in FIG. 11.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rod 30 loosely resting in the various grooves of the dies hereinabove described. Note that the central die 118 is isolated from the other dies. This is so because the construction of the center of the rod 30 may be varied to suit different requirements. For example, it may be merely a holding tool, or a bending tool. In the illustrated form, the die 118 is mounted on a block 124 and the complementary upper die 126 is mounted in a block 128. If further holding is desirable, these can be positioned on each side of the blocks 124 and 128.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 to 5 inclusive and FIG. 7, the main hydraulic cylinder 130 is mounted in the top portion of the press. The cylinder 130 is designed to provide 25 tons per square inch hydraulic pressure which is distributed through various reduction valves to the operating cylinders hereinafter referred to. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a cylinder 132 is mounted below the cylinder 130. The cylinder 132 is provided with a plunger 134 at the bottom of which is mounted the plate 136 which acts as the upper die bed. The plate 136 is provided with a plurality of guide posts 138 which hold the plate in proper position during its vertical movements sliding in and out of socket portions 140 in the fixed block 142 mounted just below the cylinder 132. The die plate 144 is slidably mounted on the rods 138, the lower ends of which are provided with stop nuts 146. The die plate 144 is slightly spaced from the plate 136 and heavy coil springs 148 surround the rods 138 and extend between the plates 136 and 144. In view of the heavy pressures involved, this slight spacing and springs absorbs the shock of the meeting of the dies, increases the life of the dies, and reduces breakage.

Now referring to FIG. 7, this illustrates the position of the various dies complementary to those laid out in FIG. 6. For example at each end is a die 150 complementary to the die 80 for producing the ribs 42 in the rod 30. Next are a pair of dies 152 complementary to the die 90 for producing the pinched portion 38. The dies 154 are complementary to the dies 98 for producing the stop elements 34. And finally the dies 156 are complementary to the dies 110 for producing the breakage points 32 in the rod 30. The dies 118 and 126 for forming the central pinched portion 31 have already been hereinabove described. i

Vertical movement of the press and the various complementary die elements hereinabove described produce the various operations along the rod 30 illustrated in FIG. 11. Some contractors require that the central portion of the rod 30 be provided with a U-bend to prevent axial movement in the concrete. In such cases the dies 118 and 126 can readily be replaced by a pair of dies to provide the necessary bending action.

Now as can be seen in FIG. 11, each end of the rod.

30 is provided with a rounded enlarged head 44 which locks the washer 40 on the rod to act as a stop when the wedge is inserted between the washer 40 and the back of the form. The heads 44 are produced at each end by the pressure of the heading plungers illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9. Mounted on the bottom portion of the press is a large rectangular base block 158 at each end. The block 158 supports a die block 160 on which the die 80 is mounted. Spaced from each end of the die 80 and die block 160 is a vertically positioned rectangular block 162 provided with a transverse opening 164 through which a cylinder 166 extends. The cylinder portion 166 is slightly narrower than the main cylinder portion 168 which provides a shoulder to prevent movement of the cylinder through the opening 164. At the front of the block 162 the cylinder portion 170 locks the parts to the block 162 as shown in FIG. 9. The cylinders are connected with suitable lines 172 (see FIG. 2) for hydraulically reciprocating the pistons axially. The end of the piston 174 extending from the cylinder portions 164,166 and 168, is tapered as shown in FIG. 9, and the front end is provided with the necessary groove for forming the head 44.

The operation of the heading mechanism is thus fairly simple. The upper die elements descend, grip the rod and form the various operations hereinabove described. At this moment the piston 174 moves inwardly at each end under high pressure, approximately 12 /2 tons per square inch, and form the heads 44. Note that these heads are formed while the rod 30 is being gripped along its entire length by the various die elements. The dies are now lifted from the rod 30, the piston heads 174 are withdrawn, and the device is now completed and ready to be moved out of the machine by further movement of the chains 62. This sequence of operations is controlled by the rod itself, and by the movement of the various elements of the press.

Now since the rod 30 is a comparatively soft iron to permit working, there is a considerable flow of metalbeneath each die caused by the combination of the die configuration plus the pressure. A considerable amount of this flow is axial to the rod 30. In addition, the heads 44 are formed at each end by considerable axial pressure by the heading mechanism hereinabove described. All of this could cause considerable buckling of the rod.

To prevent this, the die pressure and resultant axial fiow of metal is applied gradually from the center of the rod outwardly towards the ends. The action is very rapid as only a split second is required at each operation. This result is accomplished by graduating the heights of the dies in small increments of a few thousandths each. The central die 118 engages the rod 30 first to form the central flattened section 31 and to grip the rod at the center. The dies 110 on each side of the center are a few thousandths higher and reach the rod 30 next, after the die 118 has performed its operation. The dies 98, 90, 80 follow in sequence each set slightly behind the preceding set until the end dies 80 clamp onto the rod. At this point the entire rod is held along its length by nine dies (4 pairs and a center). The heading operation must therefore be performed while this gripping action takes place. Thus the rod 30 will remain straight after the completion of all the assembly operations and there will be no buckling.

Referring to FIG. 9, the block 160 is provided with a vertical opening 176 just inwardly of the die 80. The

upper end of the opening 176 is provided with an enlarged portion 178 in which a coil spring 180 is mounted. A push rod 182 is mounted in the opening 176 with its lower end extending through a narrow portion 184 of the opening 176. The upper end of the rod is provided with a washer 186 which bears against the top of the spring 180 so that the rod or pin 182 can be pushed downwardly against the action of the spring 180.. When the pushing action is released the spring 180 will move the rod 182 upwardly. It should ,be noted that the top of the rod 182 extends above the level of the groove 86 of the die 80. Mounted on the block 158 is a microswitch 188 having an actuating arm 190 extending into the block just beneath the lower end of the rod 182.

Now when a rod 30 to be acted upon by the dies is fed into the position shown in FIG. 6, it will drop into the aligned grooves as hereinabove described. When the rod drops into the grooves it will also drop on top of the vertical rod 182 depressing it downwardly against the action of its spring 180. The lower end of the rod presses against the actuating arm 190 to actuate the microswitch 188. This sets off the necessary valve controls (not shown) for lowering the upper die members against the lower die members and performing the various operations hereinabove described. The valves are so set that the control for moving the pistons 174 inwardly to form the rod heads .44 are slightly behind the movement of the vertical dies. Thus when the dies descend downwardly and contact the lower die elements to perform the various operations, only then will the heads 174 move inwardly to perform the heading operation. This ensures a gripping contact between the upper andlower die elements when the heading operation is performed.

Now, viewing FIG. 9, a block 192 is mounted on the base 158 between the die block 160 and the header block 162. Mounted on the block 192 is a bracket 194 through which a spring pressed rod 196 is vertically reciprocable. The upper end of the rod 196 is provided with a roller 198 which bears against the tapered side of the heading piston 174. The lower end of the rod 196 rests on an arm 200 which actuates a microswitch 202. As can readily be seen in FIG. 9, the heading piston end 174 travels a very short distance in making the head 44 at each end of the rod. As it moves inwardly its tapered sides, riding on the roller 198 move the rod 196 downwardly against the action of the actuating arm 200 of the microswitch 202. The various parts are so positioned that the switch 202 is actuated when the piston 174 reaches its maximum inward movement. The switch 202 actuates the variousvalves necessary for lifting the vertical portion of the press and the upper die elements and for withdrawing the piston 174. Again, to avoid premature release and the resultant buckling of the rod, it is essential that the switch 202 be actuated to release the dies and header only after the completion of the inward movement of the pistons 174.

Thus, the movement of the rod 30 in dropping into the die grooves, as shown in FIG. 6, actuates the plunger 182 and microswitch 188 to bring the upper portion of the press downwardly to perform the various operations outlined hereinabove, and to bring the heads 174 in-.

wardly ateach end to provide the locking heads 44 at each end of the rod. Theinward movement of the heads 174 move the plunger or rod 196 downwardly to trip the microswitch 202 for reversing the operation and lifting the dies upwardly and withdrawing the heads 174 to return it to the original position. After the withdrawal of the heads 174 and the lifting of the upper die elements into the raised position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is necessary for the sprocket chain 62 to move forwardly a sufficient distance, equivalent to the spacing between the vertical pins 64, to remove the finished rod from the position shown in FIG. 6 and to drop an unfinished rod into the same position ready for the next operation. This feeding sequence is controlled by a switch 204, see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, mounted adjacent one end of the upper fixed block 140 and having a depending actuating plunger 206. The upper movable die element 136 is provided adjacent one side with an upraised fixed arm 298 in vertical alignment with the plunger 206. The parts are so positioned that the arm 208 will contact the plunger 206 to operate the switch 264 only upon the extreme raised position of the upper die elements 136 and 144. This prevents accidental movement of the chain before the dies are raised for clearance. When the die elements reach their uppermost position and the switch 204 is tripped, it energizes the feeding mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8.

As has previously been stated, the rods 30 are intermittently fed through the device by the sprocket chains 62 riding over supporting sprocket wheels. It is necessary that both chains move in unison and feed correctly. Unitary movement is accomplished by mounting the sprocket wheels in pairs on a single shaft so that each pair of sprocket wheels rotates simultaneously. These shafts are all idlers mounted in suitable bearings for easy motion. Feeding power is provided at one particular spot and at one particular shaft in the front of the machine as hereinafter to be described.

Now viewing FIG. 2, the sprocket wheels 66 at the lower front portion of the machine are keyed to an idler shaft 219 which is rotatably mounted in spaced bearings 212. Each bearing 212 is mounted on a horizontal portion of a strap 214- h-aving a vertical portion mounted on the lower side of the device as shown in FIG. 2. At the rear of the machine, viewing FIG. 3, an elongated vertical support 216 is mounted adjacent each side in spaced relation, see FIG. 17. The upper and lower ends of the support are turned inwardly in substantially horizontal position to support the necessary bearings and shafts for the same arrangement as hereinabove described for the lower front shaft 216.

The large upper front sprocket wheels 68 are the driving wheels for the feed. The sprocket wheels 68 are mounted on and keyed to a shaft 218 which is supported adjacent each end in bearings 220. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each bearing 220 is mounted on an upper horizontal leg of a vertical strap 222 extending upwardly from the front side of the device. Now viewing FIGS. 2 and 8, a large indexing wheel 224 is keyed to the shaft 218 beside the left hand strip 222 and just inwardly of the strip. The indexing wheel 224 is provided along its perimeter with spaced shallow V-shaped cut out portions 226. The spacing between the V-shaped cut out portions 226 is equivalent to the movement beneath the dies of the sprocket chains 62, a distance equal to the distance between two of the vertical pins 64. In other words, the distance between the V-shaped cut outs 226 is equivalent to the distance traveled by the next succeeding rod 30 in its feeding motion beneath the dies.

Mounted on the side of the front portion of the device is a smalllbracket 228 in approximate horizontal alignment with the bottom edge of the wheel 224. An arm 230 is pivotally mounted to the end of the bracket 228, see FIG. 8, and is provided with a downwardly slanting portion which brings the arm in vertical alignment with the perimeter of the wheel 224 at the bottom thereof. Adjacent the end of the arm 230 is an upwardly extending inverted V-shaped portion 232 having approximately the same shape and depth as the V-shaped cut out portions 226 on the wheel 224. Mounted beneath the pivoted arm 230' is a fixed rigid arm 234 having a vertically directed set screw 236' extending upwardly adjacent its outer end and locked in position by a lock nut 238. A coil spring 240 extends from the upper end of the set screw 236 into a small socket 242 in the bottom edge of the pivoted arm 230. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the spring 240, whose tension is adjustable by means of the set screw 236, resiliently urges the pivoted arm 230 and especially its V-shaped portion 232 into the lowermost 19 V-shaped cut out 226 on the wheel 224 to resiliently lock the wheel in position.

The parts are so constructed that in this position a rod 30 has dropped on to the lower dies into the position shown in FIG. 6. It is contemplated that the spring 240 be sufficiently strong to normally look the wheel 224, its associated shaft 218, the sprocket wheels 68 and the sprocket chain 62 in proper position to allow the machine to proceed through the necessary operations hereinabove described without accidental movement. However, upon turning movement of the shaft 218 for the purposes of again feeding the next rod, the angle of the V-shaped cut outs 226 and of the V-shaped portion 232 are such that they will slip out into the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8 against the action of the spring 240 to allow rotation until the next cut out portion is reached.

Now again referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, an angle iron 244 is horizontally mounted on the front of the machine with one end attached to the lower portion of the left hand strip 222, see FIG. 2, and extending outwardly beyond the end of the machine. Mounted at the outer edge of the angle iron 244 is a bracket 246 to which a cylinder 248 is pivotally mounted. The cylinder 248 is provided with upper and lower hydraulic lines 250 for alternately moving the piston 252 upwardly and downwardly through the one way clutch 254. The clutch 254 is in turn mounted on the shaft 218 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the movement of the piston 252 in one direction (upwardly) rotates the shaft and indexing wheel a distance sufiicient to move the V-shaped member 232 from one cut out 226 to the next cut out 226. Movement of the piston in the opposite direction (downwardly) merely withdraws the piston 252 without disturbing the position of the shaft 218.

The above described machine thus automatically feeds a rod having a pair of washers positioned thereon intermediate its ends and a second pair of washers positioned thereon adjacent its ends to a plurality of dies. The feed mechanism stops running at the point when the rod and its associated washers are dropped into the dies. The dropping action sets off a microswitch which brings the upper die elements downwardly to perform various operations hereinabove described and simultaneously which brings the rams or pistons inwardly at each end to form a rounded head at the ends of the rod. The inward movement of the pistons set off another set of switches which cause the withdrawal of the pistons and the raising of the dies. When the dies have been raised to their uppermost position, another switch is tripped, this an indexing switch, which again sets off the drive mechanism. The sprocket chains and their upraised pins are then designed to remove the finished rod from the dies and to move sufiiciently to drop another rod into position ready for the next operation and to go through the same cycle again.

The above described machine can therefore be used to perform the necessary manufacturing operations regardless of the type of feed mechanism employed. For example, the dilferent sets of washers may be positioned on the unfinished rod by hand and the rod and washers can then be dropped on to the sprocket chains from the .rear of the machine by an operator. However, applicants prefer to use an automatic feed device more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 22, inclusive. This device is designed to feed and position the necessary washers on the rods. Dropping the rods in position on the sprocket chain 62 can 'be done manually or by any conventional device which can feed either precut rods or may cut and feed the rods in a single operation. Such devices are well -known in the art, only the washer assembly device is illustrated herein.

Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 18, a pair of spaced parallel horizontal supports 256 extend rearwardly and may be supported by angle irons 258. At the outer end of the supports 256 are a pair of brackets260 the upper arms of which are slanted upwardly towards the sprocket wheels 70. A supporting strip 261 extends from the upper slanted arm of the bracket 260 to the inturned ends of the vertical supports 216. The various feed and operating mechanisms are therefore mounted on the above described framework.

Since the assembly and feeding of the washers and rods do not require exceptionally heavy pressures, it is preferred that the various movable elements be pneumatically operated rather than hydraulically. Pneumatic operation permits greater speed and rapid valve controls. Mechanical or electrical controls may be used.

The sequence of feed operation is controlled by the movement of the rod itself, tripping a series of microswitches positioned in the path of movement as illustrated in FIG. 22. This actuates a series of cylinders illustrated in FIG. 18, for moving the rod in position to receive the pairs of washers from the mechanisms illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 and to properly position the washers from the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 21. It is preferred to utilize a well known vibration type hopper for feeding the washers. Therefore, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, a pair of hoppers 262 are positioned at each side adjacent the ends of the rods and are provided with vertical chutes 264 for feeding the large washers 36 into the feed mechanism illustrated in FIG. 19. Just beyond the hoppers 262 are a second pair of hoppers 266 designed to feed the washers 40 down vertical chutes 268 to the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 20.

Now referring to FIG. 22, a rod is fed transversely across the pair of sprocket chains 62 either by hand or any other desirable means. Since the sprocket chain is traveling at an upward angle towards the die beds, each rod will roll rearwardly against the upright pins .64 to be moved forwardly in proper position. As each rod starts its upward movement it first trips the vertically positioned actuating arm 270 of a microswitch 272 as it is carried to a point just beyond the switch by the indexing feed hereinabove described. Note that this movement is controlled by the drive shown in FIG. 8 and 'hereinabove described. It corresponds to the distance between the pins 64. The switch 272 operates a solenoid. valve for actuating the pneumatic cylinders 274 positioned in transverse alignment at the outside portion of each sprocket chain as illustrated in FIG. 17. The cylinders 274 lift the pistons 276 which are provided withV-shaped cradle portions 278 which engage the underside of the rods 30and lift them upwardly into a vertical slot 280 in the mechanisms illustrated in FIG. 19 at each side of the rods. As can be seen in FIG. 19 the rods 30 are lifted from the dotted line positions shown. in FIG. 19 upwardly to the solid line positions shown in FIG. 19. As the rods move upwardly they engage the operating arms 282 and 284 of a pair of adjacent microswitches 286 and 288. The microswitch 286 is designed to actuate the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 19 and the microswitch 288 is designed to actuate the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 21.

Now referring to FIG. 19, the large washers 36 move downwardly in a chute 264 and then slide into an opening in a support 290 adjacent the end of the rod 30. A pneumatic cylinder 292 operates a piston 294 having a cylindrical member 296 at its outer end. The member 296engages the washer 36 and pushes it on to the rod 30 until it is pushed against the stop plate 298. When the piston 294 and its cylindrical end 296 is withdrawn, the washers 36 will be positioned adjacent the ends of the rods 30 at each end and the cylinder 274 will be actuated to drop the rods downwardly back on to the sprocket chains to be moved into the next operation. Withdrawal of the cylinder 296 and reversal of the cylinder 274 to drop the rod 30 downwardly is controlled by a mechanism illustrated in FIG. 21 and will hereinafter be described.

Now, as the sprocket chain is indexed to move to. the next position, the rod 30 carrying the larger washers 36 reaches the actuating arm 300 of the microswitch 302. This now activates the pneumatic cylinder 304 having piston elements 306 with V-shaped cut out portions similar to the portions .276, and which raise the rods 30 into slots 308 into the position shown in FIG. 20. As the rod 30 reaches its upward movement on the piston 306 it contacts the actuating arms 310 of another pair of microswitches 312. One of the microswitches 312 actuatcs the pneumatic cylinder 314, see FIG. 20, having a piston 316 with an elongated cylindrical end 318. As in the form illustrated in FIG. 19, these cylindrical portions 318 pick up the small washer 40 from their slot positions 320 and 1 dropping the cylinders 274 and 304. However, in order.

to ensure that the last rod.30 passes completely through the device, each position is provided with a pair of microswitches which operate the reversing mechanism illustrated in FIG. 21. Thus the last rod 30 will pass com pletely through the device causing complete operation and withdrawal of all elements at each station that it stops at.

Now as the cylinder 34 withdraws the piston 306 and drops the rod 30 back on to the sprocketchains 62, the next indexing movement moves the rod, now carrying two pairs of washers into the last position to the left in FIG. 22, where it contacts the actuating arm 324 of the microswitch 326. This actuates the pair of cylinders 328 carrying pistons 330 with V-shaped portions adapted to engage the rod 30 and lift it into the slot 332 in the mechanism shown in FIG. 21. Upward movement of the rod in this position trips the arm 334 of the last microswitch 336. The microswitch 336 activates the pneumatic cylinder 338 and the piston 340 on the cylinder 338 carries a vertical rod portion 342 having upper and lower rollers 344 riding the upper and lower edge of a guide bar 346. Extending downwardly adjacent the lower roller 344 is a vertical pushing member 348 having the slot 332 which straddles the end of the rod 30. Now the slot 332 is larger than the diameter of the smaller washer 40 so that when the piston moves to the left as shown .in FIG. 21, the portion 348 will ride over the smaller washer 40 into the dotted line position pushing the larger washer 36 against the stop 350. This provides the approximate accurate spacing for the washers 36 and 40 along the rod 30.

As the pusher 348 reaches its forwardmost dotted line position shown in FIG. 21, it trips the operating arm 352 of the microswitch 354 which reverses the pistons and cylinders 294 shown in FIG. 19, 314 and 316 shown in FIG. 20, and 338 and 340 shown in FIG. 21 so that all washer positioning and assembly units are reversed simultaneously. As the pusher starts rearwardly the lower roller, 340 contacts the operating arm 356 of a microswitch 358 which releases the cylindrical clamps 274 and 276, 304 and 306 and 328 and 330 to move the rods downwardly back on to the sprocket chains 62.

It will thus be noted that the movement of the large washer positioning device'illustrated in FIG. 21 activates the release of all the clamps and causes the withdrawal of all the plungers for putting the washers on the rods. Thus, as the last rod 30 passes. through the device, at each station it will activate all. the other stations. However, it should be noted that the first rod will also activate all stations. For example, as the first rod coming through the device trips the microswitch 272, the movement upwardly of the rod 30 trips the switches 286 and 288 which not only cause the large washer to be placed on the rod 

1. A SNAP TIE ASSEMBLY MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE, MEANS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS OF ROD ON SAID BASE, MEANS FOR MOUNTING A PAIR OF WASHERS IN SPACED RELATION ON EACH ROD, MEANS FOR MOUNTING A SMALLER WASHER ADJACENT EACH END OF EACH ROD, MEANS FOR POSITIONING THE WASHERS IN PREDETERMINED POSITION ON EACH ROD, MEANS FOR GUIDING THE WASHERS IN PREDETERMINED POSITION ON EACH ROD DURING THE FEEDING MOVEMENT, MEANS FOR PARTIALLY SEVERING EACH ROD AT SPACED POINTS INWARDLY OF THE WASHERS, MEANS FOR PINCHING EACH ROD INWARDLY OF THE LARGER WASHERS, MEANS FOR PINCHING EACH ROD OUTWARDLY OF THE LARGER WASHERS, 